A. B. C. D. E.

“Hello, everyone,” Mrs. Perkins said. “Starting today, we will elect (选出) a class leader for each month. The person elected will help me pass out papers and organize activities. He or she will also get to decide on the topic for the class discussion that month.”

Laura could barely sit still. She loved competing. She didn’t care what the prize was. She just liked to compete, and more than that, she liked to win. Mrs. Perkins held up a gold star badge (徽章). “The class leader will wear this badge during school hours.”

Laura’s eyes widened. A shiny gold badge! Everyone would know she was a winner if she was wearing it.

“This job is not easy,” Mrs. Perkins said. “So I only want students who truly feel they are up to the task.”

Laura was barely listening anymore. She was picturing herself wearing the gold badge.

Mrs. Perkins wrote a list of names on the blackboard.

“Does anyone else wish to be a class leader this month?” Mrs. Perkins asked.

Laura’s hand shot up in the air. “Me!”

Mrs. Perkins added Laura to the list.

Laura looked through the names. Melissa was on it, too. Laura looked at her best friend sitting next to her.

“Good luck!” Melissa said. “I would love to choose the topic for the class discussion. I have a great idea for it.”

Laura suddenly felt funny. Melissa didn’t just want to win; she wanted to help the class.

“Would anyone like to tell the class why they should be this month’s class leader?” Mrs. Perkins asked.

Laura raised her hand. “I think Melissa is the right person. She has a great idea for the class project, and she always helps Mrs. Perkins pass out papers. She’d make a great class leader.” Everyone agreed.

“Thanks,” Melissa said. “But I thought you wanted to be the class leader.”

Laura replied. “There’s always next month.”

Doing more

Every Saturday, Bibi stayed at her grandma’s laundry store (洗衣店). She offered to help but it didn’t go very well. She either knocked over something or made a mess of freshly washed ________.

“Why don’t you ________ for a little while,” grandma suggested.

“You’re such a good artist.”

Bibi sighed. “________ I wanted to help you.”

Bibi went outside. She noticed her neighbor, Stephanie, across the street. Stephanie was painting big letters on the ________ of a store “Stephanie!” Bibi called, “You’re going to get into ________.”

Stephanie laughed. “We are painting the shop windows for our coming football game. Some of the ________ said we could.”

“Does that paint wash off?” Bibi asked.

“Yep. It’s just cornstarch (玉米粉), soap, and food coloring. It can be washed off ________.” said Stephanie.

Bibi saw other kids from the high school painting designs on windows up and down the street. She ________ Grandma’s windows.

Suddenly an idea hit Bibi’s head.

Soon Bibi went to buy some cornstarch and food coloring. She also found Grandma’s dish soap. She ________ dish soap and cornstarch.

Then she added food coloring to make different colors. Bibi was ready.

First, she ________ the windows as best she could until it was very clean. Then she wrote her message. She was too   ________ to reach very high. She used her biggest brush so that the letters were big and easy to read. She filled in the letters with different colors. Then came the fun part. She took time ________ the picture.

When she was finished, Bibi went inside to ________ Grandma.

When they came back out, a group of kids were gathered there.

“Great job!” said one girl.

Bibi’s grandmother looked up at the window with surprise.

AFTER GAME, BRING ________ UNIFORMS HERE! the window said.

Bibi had drawn a picture of the team’s uniforms jumping into water.

Grandma clapped her hands and hugged Bibi. “This just might help with your ________ mind,” she said.

And after the game, it did.

Have you ever considered the way you spend your money? What do you buy? When do you buy? It is important to use your money     52    . Then, you will have enough for the things you want. You can make smart decisions about your money. All it takes is some     53    , smart thinking.

Shop around and compare prices before you buy. Visit more than one store, check the prices at each store, and try not to be in a     54     to buy. You don’t have to buy at the     55     store you visit. Another store might have what you want at a     56     price. Another way to be smart with your money is to wait for a sale.

Many stores offer special discounts (折扣). For example, suppose you want to buy a camera. Wait until a store     57     sale. You can save 20 percent, 30 percent, or more on the price     58     the camera. You can also use your money by buying larger sizes of     59    .

For example, large bags of dog food usually     60     less per pound than small bags cost. So, even though you may spend more, you are really saving money per item.

You can learn to be smart with your money. It takes some practice, and it takes patience. You cannot always have     61     you want right away. But if you are patient, you will save money.

Kite flying is popular in China. Kites have become popular for use by everyone for pleasure. They are made of silk and bamboo. They are designed (设计) to act     62     birds in the air. They are painted in different colors, especially the color red, which meant good luck.

It is said that kites     63     invented by the ancient Chinese about 2,300 years ago! A long time past, the Chinese made kites to use in wars. They would fly these war kites in the night. The kites were fixed so     64     they could make strange sounds. The enemies were scared and ran away. They thought those strange sounds were made by spirits in the sky.

Chinese kites play     65     very important part in the world history of science and culture. It is believed that Chinese kites were introduced     66    , Japan, Malaysia and some other countries after the Tang Dynasty before they were brought to Europe and America.